Holden airbag recall affects over 123,000 vehicles

Holden has initiated a recall of side airbag-equipped Commodores and Commodore variants. The recall, which affects a total of 123,719 vehicles, involves cars built between April 2003 and December 2005 fitted with side impact airbags as standard or optional equipment.

According to Holden, the recall has been issued after reports that the side impact bags have "inflated undercircumstances which did not warrant inflation." Holden says 13 cases of the fault have been reported since 2003. No accidents have resulted from the unintended inflation of the side airbags.

Holden suspects the inflations may be caused by static electricity charge, generated in particular conditions, which stimulates the airbag inflator if an earthing wire under the seat has come loose. According to the carmaker, the unintended inflation can only occur only when the car is stationary and the person is exiting or has exited one of the front seats.

This is due to the fact sufficient static charge must be generated and the outer side seat bolster compressed to reach the side airbag inflator.

The situation will be rectified free of charge at Holden dealerships by installing an additional earth spring at the front of each height adjustable seat to correctly earth any charge.

Of the 123,000-plus vehicles affected around 89,000 were sold to Australian end users. Around 34,500 export vehicles are also subject to the recall.

Local vehicles recalled include:

Advertisements will appear in today's newspapers and owners will also be notified directly.

Holden advises any owner with concerns about the recall should call Holden Recall and Rework Assistance Centre, tel 1800 632 826 or the service department of any Holden dealership.